By Taylor Bush

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is a student organization found in middle schools and high schools all over the U.S., including Bainbridge High School.

FCA is a club centered on the beliefs of Christians and the sharing of those beliefs by student athletes. The year 2014 marks the 60th year of FCA practices across the country in honor of Don McClanen, who founded FCA in 1954. According to the nationwide FCA Vision Statement, the goal for FCA is to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.

For more than 20 years, Bainbridge High School has had an FCA club; this year’s members have been very active and involved. Every Friday morning before school, FCA student leaders conduct what is called a huddle meeting that is open to any and all high school students. The leaders at these meetings share spiritual testimonies, scripture, songs, videos or words of encouragement that are based on the teachings of the Christian Bible.

Eric Conner, who is a student leader, said, “FCA is a good way to get your morning started.”

FCA is predominantly coordinated and led by a group of students with the assistance and guidance of huddle leaders. This year there are 13 students that serve in leadership positions. Our huddle leaders at Bainbridge High School are Scott Miller, who has been a huddle leader for 24 years, and Michelle Miller, who has been a huddle leader for 18 years. Scott and Michelle Miller are both teachers at BHS and very dedicated to the ministry of FCA.

FCA encourages involvement outside of school by coordinating events that are celebrated across the country and open to all community members. These events include a powder-puff football game, Fields of Faith and the recently passed See You at the Pole Rally.

The annual See You at the Pole began at 7:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24, as students gathered around the flag pole in front of BHS. Led by local church ministers, the students shared a prayer in front of the high school. William Paul Whaley, a junior at BHS who serves as a FCA leader, played guitar while singing worship songs with the students. Later that night, a rally was held at the Bainbridge Church of God for all students, middle and high school. The rally kicked off with pizza and worship music that was led by a band of youth from Grace Church and Bainbridge First United Methodist Church. The students enjoyed a powerful message from

Davis Renfroe who came as a guest speaker. To close the rally, the Church of God praise band led more worship music to the crowd of an estimated 150 youth.

Approximately eight churches were represented at the event. It was an awesome night for students and adults who were there.

FCA has provided wonderful opportunities to students who are Christian believers. It gives students the chance to share their experiences with God and offers a comfortable medium for students who are not accustomed to traditional church services.

Also, FCA camps are offered for students who are interested to attend during the summer. Scott and Michelle Miller have attended a camp in Black Mountain, North Carolina, with BHS students for the past 13 years.

FCA is open to all high schoolers and welcomes new faces.

William Paul Whaley said, “We are so blessed to have an organization like FCA at BHS.”

Let’s take full advantage of having such an encouraging program at our school. I hope to see all BHS students at the next Friday morning huddle meeting!